Batcho clinches Shell seniors chess crown

MANILA, Philippines - Ricardo Batcho bested Vince Medina in a duel of fancied bets in the seventh round to capture the seniors crown while Dale Bernardo and Dennis Gutierrez III ruled their respective divisions in the Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship Southern Luzon leg at SM City Batangas Event Center in Batangas City last Sunday.

The No. 2 Batcho, who trailed Medina by half-a-point after six rounds, outwitted his top-seeded rival from National U at endgame with the white pieces to fashion out the victory then the City University of Pasay’s ace disposed of Jerwin Mendoza and Denzel Amar to emerge solo champion in the 17-20 age category with 8.5 points.

Medina, who swept his first six matches Saturday, bounced back with an eighth-round win over Michael Manansala then drew with Arvie Lozano in the final round to finish solo second with 7.5 points and clinch the other berth in the national finals of the event sponsored by Pilipinas Shell for the 23rd year.

Despite the draw, Lozano, a University of the Philippines standout, made it to the grand finals as the top female finisher with seven points, nipping Rowelyn Joy Acedo in the tiebreak.